DEREK WATTS

Based: Johannesburg

DEREK WATTS has been a journalist since 1974 when he joined the (then) Rhodesia Herald as a cub reporter. Despite spending as much time in the army as an Adjutant and Company Commander, he also rose through the journalistic ranks to be the group rugby writing specialist.

Derek spent four years as a sub-editor on SABC TV News before taking a refreshing break as a squash court manager and coach in Durban. Returning to the fold as a sports anchor on TV News, it wasn’t long before the SABC decided to start a dedicated sports program. Top Sport was born and Derek was selected as the anchor along with Martin Locke on alternate evenings.

In 1988, Derek got a call from producer extraordinaire Bill Faure regarding a new show on a new channel which, as yet, didn’t have a name. It became Carte Blanche on M-Net with Derek co-anchoring alongside Ruda Landman. Now in its 25th year, Carte Blanche has broken a string of broadcasting records, garnered a multitude of local and international awards and changed the face of investigative journalism in South Africa.

Derek is married to Belinda and they have two children – Tyrone (22) and Kirsty (19).

Derek acts as an MC, Guest Speaker, media trainer and presenter of corporate videos. Topical talks are: Behind the lens of 25 years of Carte Blanche. And the media in Southern Africa over three decades.